Rhododendron plant named &#39;Prominence&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Prominence’ is a new variety of  Rhododendron . This variety was produced by the hybridization of the ‘Coral Moon’ variety with the ‘Atlas’ variety in 2011. The plant may be used, e.g., as a flowering plant for outdoor cultivation, or as a potted plant. ‘Prominence’ is visibly appealing, and produces flowers comprising a corolla that comprises a vivid rouge color.

PLANT NAME AND VARIETY DENOMINATION

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rhododendron L. The claimed plant is a hybridization of different species. The parental lines of the claimed plant resulted from the hybridization of different species.

Common names of the claimed plant's species: Rhododendron, Azalea, Azaleodendron.

Variety denomination: ‘Prominence’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rhododendron is a genus of woody plants in the Ericaceae family, either evergreen or deciduous, and found mainly in Asia, although it is also widespread throughout the highlands of the Appalachian Mountains of North America. Most species have brightly colored flowers that bloom from late winter through to early summer.

Both species and hybrid Rhododendrons (including Azaleas) are used extensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of the world, including both temperate and subtemperate regions. Many species and cultivars are grown commercially for the nursery trade.

Rhododendrons are often valued in landscaping for their structure, size, flowers, and the fact that many of them are evergreen. Azaleas are frequently used around foundations and occasionally as hedges, and many larger-leafed Rhododendrons lend themselves well to more informal plantings and woodland gardens, or as specimen plants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Prominence’ is a new variety of Rhododendron (more specifically Azalea, still more specifically Azaleodendron) bred by pollinating variety ‘Coral Moon’ with pollen from variety ‘Atlas’ in 2011. The plant may be used, e.g., as a flowering plant for outdoor cultivation or as a potted plant.

‘Prominence’ is visibly appealing, and produces flowers comprising a corolla that has spots and a vivid rouge color.

‘Coral Moon’ Rhododendron (unpatented) is a Rhododendron variety that originated in Japan in 2003. ‘Coral Moon’ was produced by the hybridization of the ‘Rouge Magic’ (unpatented) variety with the ‘Wedding Bouquet’ (unpatented) variety. This variety has a small tree size in the shape of a dome. The flowers of this variety have a small diameter with a bright pinkish-red color. There are about 15 pieces of blossom flower in the shape of a small dome.

‘Atlas’ Rhododendron (unpatented) is a Rhododendron variety that originated in Japan in 2005. ‘Atlas’ was produced by the hybridization of the ‘Helios’ variety with the ‘Blue Eye’ variety. This variety has a medium tree size and spreading branches. The flowers of this variety have a medium diameter and a pale red color. There are about 15 pieces of flower blossoms in the shape of a pyramid.

‘Prominence’ was asexually reproduced by tissue culture in Japan at Kamiogoso2080, Anocho Toshima, Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322. Specifically, propagation was carried out by taking a growing point from a lateral bud of a sprout and cultivating the growing point, without use of callus. Plants propagated from a ‘Prominence’ plant by asexual or vegetative means are uniform and stable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a ‘Prominence’ plant body.

FIG. 2 is a photograph depicting the full view of young ‘Prominence’ plants being cultivated in a divided tray.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing an enlarged view of a ‘Prominence’ flower.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of a dissected ‘Prominence’ flower.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the plant body (including flowers) of comparative and parental variety ‘Atlas’.

FIGS. 6A-E are photographs showing measurements of various different parts of ‘Prominence’ plants. The units shown are centimeters.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Variety: ‘Prominence’. -   Species of the plant claimed: Rhododendron L. The claimed plant is a     hybridization of different species. The parental lines of the     claimed plant resulted from the hybridization of different species. -   Common names of the claimed plant's species include: Rhododendron,     Azalea, Azaleodendron.

Characteristics of ‘Prominence’ provided herein were observed when the plant was cultivated in the open with rain cover at Akatsuka Garden Co.,Ltd., “first farm” having an address at Ueogoso2080, Anocho Toshima, Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan. Descriptive terms used in Tables 1, 2, and 3 herein are consistent with the Japanese Examination Standard for Rhododendron/Azalea (Rhododendron L.), TG/42/6 1995-10-20, pages 1-17, available at www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/info/sinsakijun/kijun/1543.pdf, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Properties and characteristics of ‘Prominence’ are described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Properties and characteristics of ‘Prominence’ Class Value Charac- (Numeric teristic Data) of No. Description State of Expression ‘Prominence’** 1 Plant: persistence evergreen 3 of leaves 24 Flower: shape open funnel-shaped 2 25 Flower: diameter broad 7 30 Corolla lobe: number one 1 of colors on upper side (excluding markings of the throat) 31 Corolla lobe: main Japan color standard Not Applicable color on upper side for horticultural plants (JHS) Color Chart No. 0107 (vivid rouge) 32 Corolla lobe: None Not Applicable secondary color on upper side 35 Corolla lobe: medium 5 conspicuousness of markings of the throat 36 Corolla lobe: type of spots not touching 1 markings each other 42 Time of beginning of late* 7 flowering *Early April to mid-April, e.g., April 22^(nd), when grown at Akatsuka Garden Co., Ltd., “first farm” having an address at Ueogoso2080, Anocho Toshima, Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan. **Numerical Values in this column correspond to the “state” in the Table of Characteristics of the Japanese Examination Standard for Rhododendron/Azalea (Rhododendron L.), TG/42/6 1995 Oct. 20, pages 1-17, available at www.hinshu2.maff.go.jp/info/sinsakijun/kijun/1543.pdf.

When grown in Tsu-shi, Mie, 514-2322, Japan (or in an areas with a similar latitude and climate) ‘Prominence’ should be planted between early October to late March. In this region, flowering time is from early April to mid-April. Locations suitable for the growth of ‘Prominence’ included mesic areas with good drainage and a soil pH of 5.0 to 5.5.

A variety that is similar to ‘Prominence’ is ‘Atlas’. Characteristics of ‘Prominence’ and ‘Atlas’ are compared in Table 2. Flowers of ‘Atlas’ are shown in FIG. 5.

TABLE 2 Distinguishable Characteristics between ‘Prominence’ and ‘Atlas’ Denomination State of State of of Similar Description of Expression in Expression in Variety Characteristics Similar Variety Candidate Variety Atlas Corolla lobe: 9706 (bright red- 0107 (vivid rouge) main color purple) on upper side

A comparison between features of ‘Prominence’ and its parental varieties is provided in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Description of Physical Differences between Parental Plants Characteristic of Shape of Variety flower tree, etc. Origin Claimed Large diameter Medium size of First hybridized in Variety: flowers, dark red- tree having 2011. Flowering ‘Prominence’ red and around 20 spreading first observed in pieces of blossom branch. 2014. flower in the shape of ball Mother Small diameter Small size of Original variety Variety: flowers, bright tree in the shape obtained by ‘Coral Moon’ pinkish-red. 15 of a dome. hybridization of pieces of blossom ‘Rouge Magic’ flower in the shape variety with of small dome. ‘Wedding Bouquet’ variety in 2003. Father Medium diameter Medium size of Original variety Variety: flower, pale red. tree having obtained by ‘Atlas’ Around 15 pieces spreading hybridization of of blossom flower branch. ‘Helios’ variety in the shape of with ‘Blue Eye’ pyramid variety in 2005.

It will be understood that the average size of the plant may vary with location, season, nutrition, irrigation, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Rhododendron L. plant named ‘Prominence’ as illustrated and described. 